Twelve days of Christmas isn't nearly enough for Frisco Square, where the celebrating begins as soon as there are Thanksgiving leftovers. From November 25 through January 1, more than 675,000 visitors will experience Christmas in the Square, a treasured tradition that's back for its 12th year.
The magic starts with the largest choreographed holiday light and music show in North Texas, a breathtaking display that runs nightly from 6-10. You can marvel at the more than 175,000 lights as they twinkle to holiday tunes that are broadcast throughout the square or on station 107.3, if you're driving.
Another event you'll want to pause and enjoy is the weekend "snow flurries" that occur every 15 minutes on Fridays and Saturdays. Either stroll hand-in-hand through the snowflakes or see them from your horse-drawn carriage, which offers evening rides for $6 Thursday through Sunday.
Want to keep holding hands with someone? Then head for Skate the Square, an outdoor ice skating rink that's open daily. Entry fee is just $10 per person.
And if December 17 isn't already marked on your calendar, it should be. That's when Christmas in the Square really goes all out, with holiday vendors, a trackless train, inflatables, a four-lane inner-tubing snow slide, and a very special visitor who really knows how to make an entrance. At 5 pm on the dot, look up to see Santa Claus parachuting into the square. Once he sheds his gear, Old Saint Nick will then head into his workshop to visit with all the eager little girls and boys.
To keep the spirit of giving alive, Christmas in the Square also partners with Operation Once in a Lifetime for a toy drive. From November 21 through December 19, bring a new, unwrapped toy or clothing item to any of the 10 drop boxes around the square. On December 20, uniformed soldiers will pick up the donations and distribute them to military families
When you leave, stop by the tree lot run by Boy Scout Troop 51 and find your perfect evergreen. It's a little piece of Christmas in the Square that you can take home and enjoy all season long.
This year, the inner-tube snow slide is up to four lanes.
